[throwaway078315]

i keep up exercise for health reasons and because i do have a higher energy level if i'm in better shape.

however, both during and for two or three hours after exercising, the emotional effect is very negative. i feel much more anxious, prone to negative thoughts, self-critical, pessimistic, sometimes angry.

the benefits are definitely real but I feel like I am paying a very large cost to get them. i've tried lots of different forms of exercise and they all have this effect if i push to a reasonable level of intensity.

i'm wondering if anyone else has had this experience and managed to find a place where exercising makes them feel happy.

[PsylentKnight]

Have you tried eating a snack after? Maybe you're hangry

[terribleperson]

This is actually good advice. Some people respond very, very poorly to being hungry and I've noticed some of them aren't aware of it.

[PsylentKnight]

Yep. I've found that feeling grumpy and irritated is a more reliable indicator that I need to eat than actually feeling hungry

[geoka9]

> i've tried lots of different forms of exercise

Have they all been in a gym environment? If so, it could be the reason. Going to the gym in the winter, I do get the benefits but it doesn't do as much for my mood as sports outdoors when the weather is nice.

[6510]

Perhaps do more or less exercise, switch from cardio to strength or from strength to cardio. Monitor the negativity. Maybe, if you find the best trigger making it worse is good. Make it more obvious.

[thebigspacefuck]

What is a reasonable level of intensity for you?